I-Feel-Like-I’m-Fixin’-to-Die Rag

(Vietnam Rag)

Words and Music by Joe McDonald

Although this song is written out in the key of G, I often capo the guitar up several frets, depending on the key I wish to sing in. Play the song in a happy care-free style and feel free to substitute the name of any country where you feel there is a war going on you would like to sing about. Do not interpret the song word for word. It is military humor — tongue in cheek.

1: D Come on all of you big strong men, G Uncle Sam needs your help again.       D He's got himself in a terrible jam G Way down yonder in Vietnam    E7                       A So put down your books and pick up a gun,        D                        G We're gonna have a whole lotta fun.
Chorus:          A7   A#7    D And it's one, two, three, D7           G What are we fighting for?                   D Don't ask me, I don't give a damn,               G Next stop is Vietnam;           A7   A#7   D And it's five, six, seven, D7           G Open up the pearly gates,              E               A Well there ain't no time to wonder why,      D                    G Whoopee! we're all gonna die.
2: D Come on generals, let's move fast; G Your big chance has come at last. D Gotta go out and get those reds —      G The only good commie is the one that's dead      E7                          A You know that peace can only be won              D                       G When we've blown 'em all to kingdom come.
[Chorus]
3: D Come on Wall Street, don't move slow,      G Why man, this is war au-go-go.           D There's plenty good money to be made      G Supplying the Army with the tools of the trade, E7                              A Just hope and pray that if they drop the bomb,       D                   G They drop it on the Viet Cong.
[Chorus]

4: D Come on mothers throughout the land, G Pack your boys off to Vietnam. D Come on fathers, don't hesitate, G Send your sons off before it's too late.         E7               A You can be the first one on your block               D                  G To have your boy come home in a box.
[Chorus]

Note: As I have mentioned elsewhere I am guilty of leaving out the women in my early material so now I always sing the last verse like this:
Come on mothers throughout the land / And pack your boys off to Vietnam / Come on fathers, don't hesitate / and send your DAUGHTERS off before it's too late / And be the first one on your block to have your KIDS come home in a box.